Tripler Army Medical Center hosts Congresswoman Tokuda, highlights healthcare excellence and commitment to service members and veterans
Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC), welcomed U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (Hawaii CD2) on Aug. 21 for a comprehensive visit focused on the delivery of world-class healthcare, patient safety initiatives, mental health services, veteran care, and maintaining a medically-ready force. TAMC is a key component of the Defense Health Agency’s Defense Health Network Indo-Pacific. U.S. Rep. Tokuda toured key facilities at TAMC, engaging with medical personnel and leadership to learn about the care … Continue Reading
August 14, 2024
Hirono and Tokuda introduce bill to protect Social Security for seniors
Hawaiʻi US Sen. Mazie Hirono and US Rep. Jill Tokuda have reintroduced legislation they say would strengthen Social Security and ensure its long-term solvency. The bill, named the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act, was reintroduced on the 90th anniversary of the federal program. “For 90 years, Social Security has provided critical support to millions of kūpuna, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable communities in Hawaiʻi and across the country,” Hirono said. “I am proud … Continue Reading
August 04, 2024
Lawmakers offer a bill to boost US-Taiwan defense tech
Lawmakers offer a bill to boost US-Taiwan defense tech Representatives Jill Tokuda and Zach Nunn have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at enhancing U.S.-Taiwan defense technology collaboration. The United States-Taiwan Defense Innovation Partnership Act seeks to address security challenges by fostering innovative technologies in defense, particularly focusing on advanced defense technologies such as drones and AI.The initiative responds to concerns regarding Chinese aggression and aims … Continue Reading
July 24, 2024
U.S. Representatives Jill Tokuda and William Timmons lead bipartisan push to eliminate coffee tariffs
U.S. Representatives Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02) and William Timmons (R-SC-04), co-chairs of the Congressional Coffee Caucus, led a bipartisan letter urging Ambassador Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative, to remove existing and future tariffs on coffee in order to protect American jobs and support the continued vitality of the nation’s import-dependent coffee industry. “Unlike many other goods affected by recent tariffs, coffee is not produced at a scale within the United States that … Continue Reading
October 13, 2023
Tokuda to hold Satellite Office Hours
Rep. Jill Tokuda’s office will hold “satellite office hour” events on Molokai, Lanai, Oahu and Hawaii island to assist residents and businesses with issues they are having with federal agencies. Tokuda’s office can provide support with passport issues, veterans’ benefits, Social Security, immigration, postal service problems, Medicare and more, according to a news release. Constituent advocates will be on-site to help with case work and listen to concerns. This service can also be accessed at … Continue Reading
October 13, 2023
Resolution Honors Fire Victims, First Responders
The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed a resolution honoring the victims and first responders of the Aug. 8 Maui wildfires, Hawaii’s congressional delegation announced. The bicameral resolution was introduced by Sens. Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz in the Senate and Reps. Jill Tokuda and Ed Case in the House of Representatives. The Senate passed the resolution on Sept. 30. “As Lahaina and Upcountry Maui continue the recovery and rebuilding process from the August wildfires, this resolution … Continue Reading
October 02, 2023
Rural America a Focus for Bipartisan Health Caucus Formed in U.S. House
A bipartisan congressional caucus aims to improve accessibility to quality health care and services in rural U.S. communities. The Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus had its first meeting Sept. 20 and serves as a forum for U.S. representatives to promote legislation and policy actions regarding rural health. Members came together to discuss the issues their rural communities face. There will be opportunities for members of the caucus to hear from patients, providers and health advocates about … Continue Reading
September 29, 2023
“The stakes are high for Hawaii.” | Rep. Jill Tokuda shares impacts of government shutdown on Hawaii
Hawaii Representative Jill Tokuda talked to Island News' Diane Ako on the possible government shutdown that could impact thousands of workers across the Islands. "If this [shutdown] is protracted and prolonged out, we have over 150,000 SNAP recipients -- they could start to see themselves losing benefits," says Rep. Tokuda. Over 1.5 million families could go without pay if the government shuts … Continue Reading
September 29, 2023
Rep. Tokuda joins in introducing the Addressing Addiction After Disasters Act
Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) joined fellow Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) in introducing the Addressing Addiction After Disasters Act. Following a summer of climate emergencies across the country, including in Hawai?i and Vermont, Americans are suffering the cost, the Representatives said. While the physical damage is clear, disaster-stricken communities need resources to cope with the mental and emotional damage they endure, according to the lawmakers. Current Federal Emergency Management Agency … Continue Reading
September 29, 2023
Rep. Jill Tokuda urges continued help for Maui Fire Recovery in Testimony before House Subcommittee
US Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) on Thursday morning gave testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on the deadly Maui fires. The Subcommittee is investigating the role that electric infrastructure played in the fires. Tokuda said she wants answers to so many questions that remain: “Not a day has gone by that I don’t ask myself questions. How did this happen? What could have been done differently? How do we make sure this never happens … Continue Reading
September 26, 2023
SBA urged to extend loan deadline for those impacted by the fires
Hawaii’s congressional delegation is urging the U.S. Small Business Administration to extend the deadline for homeowners, renters, businesses and organizations impacted by the wildfires to apply for loans. U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz, as well as U.S. Reps. Jill Tokuda and Ed Case, sent a letter to SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman on Monday. “The recent wildfires completely devastated an entire community in West Maui,” the lawmakers wrote. “Even as the community continues to … Continue Reading
September 22, 2023
Rep. Tokuda requests additional support for Maui Fire Recovery, Cultural Preservation
US Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02), along with House Natural Resources Ranking Member Raul Grijalva, and Rep. Ed Case sent a letter to Secretary Deb Haaland requesting that the Department of Interior provide support for the environmental recovery and cultural preservation efforts on Maui and Hawai?i Island. The letter outlines four areas of concern for the Department to focus on: Environmental Stewardship: Requesting that the Department offer its technical expertise in the … Continue Reading
September 12, 2023
Tokuda Urges Congress Not to Forget About Maui
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda led dozens of her colleagues in a moment of silence Tuesday on the House floor to honor those who died in the Lahaina wildfire. She highlighted the stories of Louise Abihai, 97, whose remains were found in the rubble of the Hale Mahaolu Eono senior living facility, and Tony Takafua, 7, who died with his family inside their vehicle while trying to escape the Aug. 8 blaze that consumed the historic beachfront town. Tokuda talked of the devastation, the ruins … Continue Reading
September 12, 2023
U.S. Rep. Tokuda requests moment of silence for Maui on House Floor
U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda today, along with fellow U.S. Rep. Ed Case, stood on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and asked for a moment of silence “so that we may lift up and honor our Maui ohana as they grieve, as they recover and as they rebuild.” Tokuda asked to be joined by other representatives with connections to Maui and thanked House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, and other House colleagues across the political aisle for touring the devastation in Lahaina … Continue Reading
September 02, 2023
FEMA funding in the balance as Maui contends with fire’s aftermath
With Maui desperately in need of federal aid as residents struggle to recover from the Aug. 8 wildfires, the government shutting down and the Federal Emergency Management Agency running out of money “is absolutely not an option,” Hawaii’s U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda said. “Disasters are continuing to strike across our country.” Tokuda said Wednesday. “It is so critical that the billions and billions of dollars that we need to fund FEMA is put there when we go back in September.” But in a Congress … Continue Reading
September 02, 2023
Hawaii Congressional Delegation Urges Immigration Support to those impacted by wildfires
The Hawaiʻi Congressional Delegation urged the US Citizenship and Immigration Services to assist members of the immigrant community in replacing important legal and identification documents, as well as alleviating other challenges they might face during the recovery process. US Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Representatives Ed Case (D-HI) and Jill Tokuda (D-HI) urged US Citizenship and Immigration Services Director, Ur M. Jaddou, to continue and expand efforts … Continue Reading
September 01, 2023
Hawaii Congressional Delegation Calls Prompt Additional Request for $4B in Supplemental Disaster Relief
Following calls from US Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and US Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Jill Tokuda (D-Hawai‘i), President Joe Biden sent an updated request to Congress to increase the supplemental Disaster Relief Fund by $4 billion, bringing the new request total to $16 billion. “The President said he would do whatever it takes to help to Maui, and this is a down payment on that commitment. The recovery will take significant resources, and … Continue Reading
August 28, 2023
“We’re going to fight like hell” to ensure FEMA is funded for Maui Recovery
US Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) and Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05) announced a shared legislative priority for Congress to approve funding for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund as Maui continues recovery from the Aug. 8 deadly wildfire in Lahaina. “The Relief Fund will be in deep shortfall by the end of the fiscal year in September. With the increasing possibility that partisan gridlock could result in a government shut down, aid for Maui and communities across the country is at … Continue Reading
August 28, 2023
Hawaii Governor Enlists Help From Federal Lawmakers Visiting Maui
Standing before a gaggle of local reporters and Washington politicians, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green struggled to hold back his tears as he discussed what happened in Lahaina on Aug. 8. He recounted the story of a 15-year-old boy — someone about the same age as his daughter — who took his family’s car to save his 8-year-old brother and their mother who was trapped down on Front Street as the fires raged around them. “He’s driving for the first time and getting them out alive,” Green said. “Can you … Continue Reading
August 27, 2023
Long Lines of Fire Survivors Underscores Demand for Help In Maui
The ongoing needs of evacuees and survivors from the Lahaina fire were best illustrated by the 100 to 200 people who lined up outside the Lahaina Civic Center gym on Saturday nearly two hours before another “help fair” opened to connect needs with services. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, whose congressional district includes the neighbor islands and rural Oahu, organized the event with U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono and opened the doors to the gym nearly an hour early to let fire survivors inside the … Continue Reading